The Best Time to Visit Botswana

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BOTSWANA

There are so many reasons to visit Botswana for your next safari holiday. Firstly, it’s home to the Okavango Delta, a rich and magical hotspot of the most spectacular wildlife in Africa. It is also home to the Big Five, with some great game viewing opportunities in a number of parks. And perhaps most importantly, Botswana is one of the most accessible and friendly safari destinations in the world and a safe, well-facilitated place even for families travelling with children. If you’re interested in visiting Botswana for a safari holiday, read on to discover the best time of year to go.

Geography and Climate

Botswana is a landlocked country bordering Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. More than two-thirds of the country lies within the Tropics and more than 80% of the country is covered by desert. The Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park can be found in the north whilst Kalahari Game Reserve is located in central Botswana. The climate in Botswana is considered to be semi-arid; hot and dry for most of the year but with a hot and sticky rainy season in summer. With such a diverse land of contrasts, climate can vary across the regions and will also vary from day to night.

Dry Season: May to October

Winter in Botswana is the dry season and this is the most comfortable time to visit in terms of heat and humidity. The chance of rainfall is slim and there are fewer mosquitoes around, which makes it perfect for anyone travelling with little ones. Wildlife is much easier to spot in the dry season and Chobe National Park can sometimes get crowded but you will find that most of Botswana never really gets too busy – and is always safe for children. The skies are never cloudy and May generally has the best weather.

What to pack: If you are going on early morning game drives, it’s recommended to pack some warm clothing and layers as it can get quite cold. Plenty of sunscreen is a must and so are accessories such as hats and UV protective eyewear.

Wet Season: November to April

The wet season (summer) takes place from November to April and during this time, it can become very hot, humid and sticky; although a small window of opportunity will take place in April as the weather cools and the air dries out. Rain showers are often unpredictable but short so it’s unlikely that the weather will affect your travel plans. Although game is harder to view in summer, November to April is the perfect time for birding.

It’s also important to bear in mind that some camps will close during the wet season so be sure to contact our team about the best time to book your safari holiday in Botswana.

What to pack: Wet season in Botswana can get very wet so mosquito repellent is essential. Bring plenty of tops and t-shirts with ventilation / moisture-wicking properties as the back end of the season (October and November) can get uncomfortably hot.